Alinghi decide to think big

A narrow winning margin ushers in a class of larger, more powerful boats

It is no coincidence that with the racing closer than for decades, the goalposts have been moved with the announcement of a new class of boat for the next America's Cup. One of the biggest benefits of winning the trophy is securing a lucrative event to go with it and being able to make the rules for the next event.

"We were surprised Emirates Team New Zealand was so fast and competitive," said Alinghi's syndicate head, Ernesto Bertarelli, reflecting on his team's successful but hard-fought defence. His comments indicate how seriously a team that had dominated earlier racing had felt when the big wins were at stake.

By race seven a winning margin of just one second was further evidence that the line between success and defeat was getting too close for comfort for the holders of such a valuable trophy. A major change in the style of the next